Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

The Curzon Cinema claims to be the oldest purpose-built and continuously operated movie theatre in the world. The Curzon Picture House was opened on 20th April 1912, just two days after RMS Titanic sank. The cinema was enlarged to the current building in the 1920’s without ever closing.

Another feature of the Curzon Cinema that makes it unique are the theater’s walls and roof, which are lined with tin pressed paneling that was imported from America. It has a 32 feet wide proscenium, a stage 17 feet deep, with two dressing rooms. The building also had a cafe and dance hall attached.

The Curzon Cinema was saved from closure in 1996 following a public outcry, and is now operated as a registered charity. Originally the seating capacity was for 750 in stalls and circle. Today, only the stalls area is being used, with a false ceiling extending across from the circle front. Renovation plans include opening up the circle again to reveal the entire auditorium.

The interior was extensively renovated for the centenary, opening out the foyer and opening up the Oak Room and the top floor to the public again. There is a viewing panel on the top floor onto the balcony which is still there, just a bit the worse for wear.
A fully working “plumbed in” Christie organ was also installed, which is used regularly before evening shows and for concerts.
The next job is to get the balcony fully restored.

The Curzon Community Centre opened on 20/4/1912 with an appeal to raise money for survivors and relatives of those who died in the Sinking of the Titanic 5 days earlier in the Atlantic Ocean near Nova Scotia, Canada. Ammount of money raised unknown?